What would be the best way to attach a ledger board that will be holding 2 X 6 rafters that span approx. 9′ (wrap around porch rafters) to the gable end wall? …The ledger will be placed approx. 26″ above the 2nd.floor rim joist….Gable end wall is 2 X 4 construction.
any suggestions will be appreciated.
…paul…
We tried out a range of rotary and random-orbit sanders to compare their dust collection, quality of finish, and user fatigue after hours of sanding.
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Replies
USE 3/1/2 INCH DECKING SCREWS AND SCREW INTO THE RAFTERS. I
you meant into studs, right?
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Ledger Lok screws. Same sheer and withdrawal resistance as 1/2" lags but they're only about 1/4" thick so they won't shred your studs. No predrilling required either.... they zip in nice with a corded low RPM drill.
Save the deck screws for....... decks.
So.. screwing the ledger to the 2nd floor 2 X 4 studs w/ ledgerlocs ( 2 each.per stud) would be adequate?...That sounds to easy...
...thanks...paul...
Then do it with a bundle of shingles in your tool belt.View Image
LOL!!!!!!
That was funny as hell. You have no clue how hard i was laughing!
Glad I could help.View Image
I second the Ledgerloks. They're 3 5/8" long, and I think they're actually stronger than the 1/2" lags by a bit.
Timberlok screws (made by the same company) are also good, but not quite as beefy.
They both go in easy with an impact driver.
zak
"When we build, let us think that we build forever. Let it not be for present delight nor for present use alone." --John Ruskin
"so it goes"
They come in a 5" length as well.View Image
I just tried some Ledgerlocs and they are pretty slick. On some hard doug fir studs we sometimes have to predrill a bit to prevent splits, but on most new lumber they go right in. The price is pretty good on them as well, compared to simpson 1/4" screws.
Beer was created so carpenters wouldn't rule the world.
If you use them a lot try to find them in the big bucket... I forget the count.... but they were much cheaper than buying them in the little boxes.View Image
250 in the bucket. We're paying about 100 bucks for 5", 85 for 3+5/8".
Great product. Serious money maker. Hard to get here in the Great Northwet, but they're going to catch on. We just went through 500 on a big deck job and ordered 250 more - supposed to be in early next week. Remodeling contractor who once visited the Glass City.
We just went through 500 on a big deck job and ordered 250 more...
Wow Jim! "Big deck job" sounds like an understatement. Any pics?View Image
Ledger Loks rule, I have been using them for a year or so and won't go back to lags.
I use a 1/2" electric impact to crank them home in a hurry. My buckets come with a couple of nut drivers, be nice if they had magnets in them. When people don't know what you're about, They put you down and shut you out.
Yeah, electris impact driver here, too. The battery powered impacts will certainly drive them, but why cycle through all those batteries?Remodeling contractor who once visited the Glass City.
My electric impact is 1/2" so I have to reduce down to 3/8" then to 1/4" for a 5/16 socket to fit them. Kind of a pain, hows you does it? When people don't know what you're about, They put you down and shut you out.
I used to use and impact too but I swear my corded drill is faster on these for some reason.View Image
I haven't tried a corded drill yet, my cordless didn't really like the 5" ledger loks. When people don't know what you're about, They put you down and shut you out.
I sunk a bunch into a built up beam ... glulam ... and as usual went with the impact driver. This was before I got the "rebate" Makita impact in the mail ... so I used my smaller hitachi ... they went in pretty good.
battery on the hatichi died ... so I just picked up my fairly new Makita drill/driver ... man ... lightening fast!
decided to go back and torque those I'd set .. what I thot was tight with the impact" ... sucked them even deeper. So I went back ... backed them all out a bit ... and drove them home. Moved that old beam a good 1/4 inch ... and partially sank the heads.
When I got more than a few to do now ... I start them with the impact ... go maybe 1/4 way ... then drive them home with the drill.
they seem to start faster with the impact ...
Had to put the side handle on the Makita so I didn't get lifted off the ladder ...
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
I start 'em with a hammer. :)View Image
BTW Isa starts them withs my hamma too boss.
When people don't know what you're about, They put you down and shut you out.
Edited 3/1/2007 8:24 pm ET by Stilletto
Yeah, same. Use the same impact driver for nuts on carriage bolts too, and there's always planty of those to tighten, so we just keep the 1/2x3/8 adaptor on the impact driver and a few 3/8 drive sockets in a bucket with assorted bolt lengths, washers and nuts. Works fine.
But those freakin' Ledgerloks, man - those things are winners. Remodeling contractor who once visited the Glass City.
I am on the bandwagon with you and Dieselpig. I like the ledger loks.
I never thought of what Diesel just posted, specs right on the bucket. I have read them a few times and it a handy feature. I haven't had to use them yet though. When people don't know what you're about, They put you down and shut you out.
Actually the job is several small decks and handicapped ramps for portable classrooms for the local school district.
Not much to look at, but a LOT of materials...let's see...total of 5 ramps, each about 28' long by 4' wide...47 sheets of pressure treated plywood to cover all the ramps and decks...I can't remember how many feet of 2x6 joists and ledgers...something like 400 2x6 joist hangers...fun job though.
Starting late yoday because of snow but I might take a couple photos. Mostly I spend the day trying to keep up with two young carpenters who are kicking my azz. Having a ball. Remodeling contractor who once visited the Glass City.
I've been using the GRK lag head screws. how do one compare to the other?
I drive with the 12V Makita Impact driver - no cord.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Pretty much the sameWhen people don't know what you're about, They put you down and shut you out.
I'll have to defer to Stilletto's answer on this one Paul, as I don't know anything about the GRK's. Another reason I like the LLoc's is that the enginneering calcs are right on the box, so if someone raises an eyebrow I don't have to defend myself... much anyway. :)View Image
Mr. Piffin
The screws I responded about weren't made by GRK, but they had a washer lag type head. If they are the ones I am thinking of. I didn't think GRK made a lag head screw.
But they were pretty much the same as Ledger Loks. When people don't know what you're about, They put you down and shut you out.
Where do y'all order them from?...I cant find any around here.
...paul...
Mountain Lumber in Yelm, WA (360)458-5101 gets them for us. Ask for D.J., he does all their hardware ordering.
The Ledgerlock websiie said Home Depot was a retailer, but I couldn't find them in any Depots around here. If I have to wait for an order, I'd rather do it through my local yard. Remodeling contractor who once visited the Glass City.
"but they're going to catch on."
I had to introduce them to the PE I use ... he'd never heard of them.
emailed him all the specs ... and he's been spec'ing them ever since.
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
I'd use #12 structural screws about 3-4" long through the ledger and into the studs.
Welcome to the
Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
where ...
Excellence is its own reward!
Is that sheathing sugar coated wood? Plywood, OSB? I haven't worked with it before.
If it is wood here is what I would do, use the ledger loks that have been reccomended. Then for a little extra you could nail from the inside through the sheathing into the ledger with RS 2" nails.
Just a little cheap insurance.
When people don't know what you're about,
They put you down and shut you out.
"
Is that sheathing sugar coated wood? Plywood, OSB? I haven't worked with it before."
Its advantech Zip Wall System from Huber Woods
Good idea " nail from the inside thru sheathing"
Thanks everyone, i ordered a bucket of 3 5/8" LedgerLoc's today
...paul...